Reviews

Sirojiddin Juraev

Sirojiddin Juraev

Born near the Ferghana Valley, a critical point on the ancient Silk Road trading route, Sirojiddin Juraev is a contemporary...

Reviewed by Charlie Cawood in issue: November/2018

The Promise

Mehmet Polat

Turkish oud player Mehmet Polat further develops his style on this solo album with the help of others on traditional...

Reviewed by Tom Newell in issue: November/2020

Tale Yâd

Oneira

This disc could have been an interesting excursion into the traditions of northern Greece, the Black Sea and Iran, all...

Reviewed by Maria Lord in issue: July/2012

Bu Bir Demdir

Aylin’s Soulgarden

Alevi-German singer Aylin Yıldırım and her band of Augsburg-based musicians on saz, guitar, drums, bass and keys perform a selection...

Reviewed by Tom Newell in issue: January/2025

A Lindisfarne Gospel

The Alistair Anderson Band

In the early eighth century on Holy Island in Northumberland, a man named Eadfrith, working alone, created a glorious masterpiece,...

Reviewed by Julian May in issue: Apr/May/2014

Adventures in Afropea

Zap Mama

Sic transit gloria mundi – but how welcome to be reminded of past triumphs by this reissue of Zap Mama's...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: March/2020

European Howl

Agent Starling

Agent Starling is an unusual duo, a pairing of hurdy-gurdy player Quentin Budworth with Louise Duffy-Howard (aka Lou Loudhailer). Back...

Reviewed by Tony Gillam in issue: July/2021

Tropix

Céu

It's easy to forget how much of a revelation Céu was when she released her self-titled debut in 2005. Seductive...

Reviewed by Russ Slater in issue: July/2016

Pura Vida Conspiracy

Gogol Bordello

It’d be a cliché to mention that salty yeast-based vegetarian spread in relation to whether one has a taste forHütz...

Reviewed by Howard Male in issue: October/2013

Alamar

Ana Carla Maza

This album reached me on the day of a UK government travel warning for Cuba, a mighty yet beleaguered island...

Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: May/2026